Jazz Secure Win Over Pistons Behind Markkanen's 38 Points
The Utah Jazz defeated the Detroit Pistons, 126-111, at Little Caesars Arena on Tuesday.
The Jazz (18-16) didn’t have problems to get past the Pistons (8-25) in this game, as they grabbed the lead in the first quarter, looked in control midway through the contest, and then closed things out when Detroit threatened to mount a late comeback. Utah jumped out to a 31-24 score in the first quarter, but the Pistons managed to close things to just one point following a 36-30 score in the final 12 minutes of the first half. Utah didn’t step the foot off the gas in the second half and Detroit couldn’t match up the intensity, meaning that the Jazz pulled away for good in the third following a 34-25 score. The Pistons had some good individual performances, but it wasn’t enough to mount a late comeback, and the Jazz also won the final quarter by a 31-26 score. With the win, Utah moved to 7-11 on the road while the Pistons fell to 4-12 at home.
Lauri Markkanen had an impressive performance and led the Jazz with 38 points and five rebounds, while Jarred Vanderbilt had a double-double of 18 points and 13 rebounds while also adding six assists and two steals. Walker Kessler delivered 10 points and nine rebounds while filling in for the injured Kelly Olynyk, and Jordan Clarkson added 21 points, six assists and three boards. Malik Beasley delivered 17 points and three boards off the bench.
Jaden Ivey scored a career-best 30 points to go along with five assists and four rebounds, and Jalen Duren finished with a 15-point, 14-rebound double-double in 30 minutes. Bojan Bogdanovic delivered 15 points, three rebounds and three assists. Alec Burks and Marvin Bagley III posted matching 10-point tallies, with Bagley III also adding four rebounds and Burks dishing out two dimes.
The Jazz (18-16) didn’t have problems to get past the Pistons (8-25) in this game, as they grabbed the lead in the first quarter, looked in control midway through the contest, and then closed things out when Detroit threatened to mount a late comeback. Utah jumped out to a 31-24 score in the first quarter, but the Pistons managed to close things to just one point following a 36-30 score in the final 12 minutes of the first half. Utah didn’t step the foot off the gas in the second half and Detroit couldn’t match up the intensity, meaning that the Jazz pulled away for good in the third following a 34-25 score. The Pistons had some good individual performances, but it wasn’t enough to mount a late comeback, and the Jazz also won the final quarter by a 31-26 score. With the win, Utah moved to 7-11 on the road while the Pistons fell to 4-12 at home.
Lauri Markkanen had an impressive performance and led the Jazz with 38 points and five rebounds, while Jarred Vanderbilt had a double-double of 18 points and 13 rebounds while also adding six assists and two steals. Walker Kessler delivered 10 points and nine rebounds while filling in for the injured Kelly Olynyk, and Jordan Clarkson added 21 points, six assists and three boards. Malik Beasley delivered 17 points and three boards off the bench.
Jaden Ivey scored a career-best 30 points to go along with five assists and four rebounds, and Jalen Duren finished with a 15-point, 14-rebound double-double in 30 minutes. Bojan Bogdanovic delivered 15 points, three rebounds and three assists. Alec Burks and Marvin Bagley III posted matching 10-point tallies, with Bagley III also adding four rebounds and Burks dishing out two dimes.
Bulls Use Strong Third Quarter To Defeat Heat
The Chicago Bulls defeated the Miami Heat, 113-103, at FTX Arena on Tuesday.
The Bulls (12-18) were coming off four losses in a row prior to this game, but they managed to bounce back with a strong performance against the Heat (16-16), although it wasn’t an easy win by any means. With the win, Chicago improved their road record to 5-11, while the Heat fell to 9-7 at home. The Bulls looked better in the early going and seemed as if they had established their own terms following a 31-21 score in the opening 12 minutes, but the Heat responded with a 36-21 score in the second quarter, so they were up by five points heading into the break. Chicago managed to re-group after halftime, however, and they responded with a dominant effort of their own, and a 36-20 score in the third quarter gave the Bulls an 11-point lead with only 12 minutes to go. Miami won the final quarter by a 26-25 score, but that wasn’t enough to flip the script and the Bulls cruised to victory.
Nikola Vucevic led the way for the Bulls with 29 points and 12 assists, while DeMar DeRozan finished with 24 points, five rebounds and five assists. Zach LaVine also cleared the 20-point plateau and posted 21 points, seven assists and six rebounds. Coby White looked good off the bench and posted 14 points. Chicago shot 54.8 percent from the field and 41.9 percent from deep.
The Heat were led by Bam Adebayo, who finished with 27 points, 12 rebounds and six assists, while Tyler Herro posted 19 points, seven dimes, three boards and two steals. Haywood Highsmith delivered 18 points and four steals. Victor Oladipo scored 14 points with five boards, two assists and two steals. Duncan Robinson had 13 points off the bench. Miami shot 46.9 from the field and 34.1 percent from three.
The Bulls (12-18) were coming off four losses in a row prior to this game, but they managed to bounce back with a strong performance against the Heat (16-16), although it wasn’t an easy win by any means. With the win, Chicago improved their road record to 5-11, while the Heat fell to 9-7 at home. The Bulls looked better in the early going and seemed as if they had established their own terms following a 31-21 score in the opening 12 minutes, but the Heat responded with a 36-21 score in the second quarter, so they were up by five points heading into the break. Chicago managed to re-group after halftime, however, and they responded with a dominant effort of their own, and a 36-20 score in the third quarter gave the Bulls an 11-point lead with only 12 minutes to go. Miami won the final quarter by a 26-25 score, but that wasn’t enough to flip the script and the Bulls cruised to victory.
Nikola Vucevic led the way for the Bulls with 29 points and 12 assists, while DeMar DeRozan finished with 24 points, five rebounds and five assists. Zach LaVine also cleared the 20-point plateau and posted 21 points, seven assists and six rebounds. Coby White looked good off the bench and posted 14 points. Chicago shot 54.8 percent from the field and 41.9 percent from deep.
The Heat were led by Bam Adebayo, who finished with 27 points, 12 rebounds and six assists, while Tyler Herro posted 19 points, seven dimes, three boards and two steals. Haywood Highsmith delivered 18 points and four steals. Victor Oladipo scored 14 points with five boards, two assists and two steals. Duncan Robinson had 13 points off the bench. Miami shot 46.9 from the field and 34.1 percent from three.
Knicks Blast Warriors, 132-94
The New York Knicks defeated the Golden State Warriors, 132-94, at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday night.
The Knicks (18-13) came into the contest looking to extend a seven-game winning streak, and it was evident from early on that New York would be in good shape to do just that. The hosts exploded for 69 first-half points to take a 13-point lead into halftime over the Warriors (15-17) and had extended that advantage to 19 entering the final period. The Knicks then put an exclamation point on the victory by outscoring Golden State, 32-13, over the final 12 minutes.
Jordan Poole led the Warriors with 26 points, adding two rebounds, one assist and one steal. Jonathan Kuminga furnished 13 points, four boards and four assists. Klay Thompson and Moses Moody generated matching 11-point tallies while pulling down four and three rebounds, respectively. Ty Jerome added 11 points of his own and dished out three assists.
Immanuel Quickley paced the Knicks with 22 points, complementing them with four boards, two assists, two steals and one block. Jalen Brunson delivered 21 points, five assists, three rebounds and one steal. Quentin Grimes supplied 19 points, four assists and one rebound. R.J. Barrett registered 18 points, five assists and three boards. Julius Randle generated a 15-point, 12-rebound double-double that includes five assists. Miles McBride netted 10 points.
The Warriors remain on the road and pay a visit to the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday night, while the Knicks remain home and welcome in the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday night as well.
The Knicks (18-13) came into the contest looking to extend a seven-game winning streak, and it was evident from early on that New York would be in good shape to do just that. The hosts exploded for 69 first-half points to take a 13-point lead into halftime over the Warriors (15-17) and had extended that advantage to 19 entering the final period. The Knicks then put an exclamation point on the victory by outscoring Golden State, 32-13, over the final 12 minutes.
Jordan Poole led the Warriors with 26 points, adding two rebounds, one assist and one steal. Jonathan Kuminga furnished 13 points, four boards and four assists. Klay Thompson and Moses Moody generated matching 11-point tallies while pulling down four and three rebounds, respectively. Ty Jerome added 11 points of his own and dished out three assists.
Immanuel Quickley paced the Knicks with 22 points, complementing them with four boards, two assists, two steals and one block. Jalen Brunson delivered 21 points, five assists, three rebounds and one steal. Quentin Grimes supplied 19 points, four assists and one rebound. R.J. Barrett registered 18 points, five assists and three boards. Julius Randle generated a 15-point, 12-rebound double-double that includes five assists. Miles McBride netted 10 points.
The Warriors remain on the road and pay a visit to the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday night, while the Knicks remain home and welcome in the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday night as well.
Wizards Snap 10-Game Losing Streak
By Dan Bruno
The Washington Wizards defeated the host Phoenix Suns, 113-110, at Footprint Center on Tuesday evening.
The game got out to a competitive start as the Suns led 30-27 after one quarter. The Wizards turned up the defense in the second and rallied to a five-point lead at the break. The Wizards rallied to a 17-point lead mid way through the third, but the Suns fought back to cut it to a two-point game heading into the final quarter. The Suns kept the momentum going and built a 10-point lead early in the fourth, but the Wizards answered with a 15-0 run to reclaim control and held on to snap a 10-game slide.
Kyle Kuzma led the Wizards with 29 points, six rebounds, six assists and two steals, in 37 minutes. Bradley Beal followed up with 27 points, six rebounds, six assists, a steal and a block, while Deni Avdija tallied 16 points, 10 rebounds, four assists and a block. The Wizards shot 47.5 percent from the field, including 11-of-27 from deep.
Meanwhile, Landry Shamet led the Suns with 31 points, two rebounds and five assists, in 35 minutes off the bench. Deandre Ayton finished with 30 points, 13 rebounds and a block, while Chris Paul tallied 12 points, four rebounds, 11 assists and two steals. The Suns shot 46 percent from the field, including 13-of-32 from long range.
The Suns (19-13) will look to bounce back as they play host to the Grizzlies on Friday. The Wizards (12-20) take on the Jazz in Utah on Thursday.
The game got out to a competitive start as the Suns led 30-27 after one quarter. The Wizards turned up the defense in the second and rallied to a five-point lead at the break. The Wizards rallied to a 17-point lead mid way through the third, but the Suns fought back to cut it to a two-point game heading into the final quarter. The Suns kept the momentum going and built a 10-point lead early in the fourth, but the Wizards answered with a 15-0 run to reclaim control and held on to snap a 10-game slide.
Kyle Kuzma led the Wizards with 29 points, six rebounds, six assists and two steals, in 37 minutes. Bradley Beal followed up with 27 points, six rebounds, six assists, a steal and a block, while Deni Avdija tallied 16 points, 10 rebounds, four assists and a block. The Wizards shot 47.5 percent from the field, including 11-of-27 from deep.
Meanwhile, Landry Shamet led the Suns with 31 points, two rebounds and five assists, in 35 minutes off the bench. Deandre Ayton finished with 30 points, 13 rebounds and a block, while Chris Paul tallied 12 points, four rebounds, 11 assists and two steals. The Suns shot 46 percent from the field, including 13-of-32 from long range.
The Suns (19-13) will look to bounce back as they play host to the Grizzlies on Friday. The Wizards (12-20) take on the Jazz in Utah on Thursday.
Nuggets Defeat Grizzlies, 105-91
The Denver Nuggets defeated the visiting Memphis Grizzlies, 105-91, at Ball Arena on Tuesday.
A 35-14 first quarter set the foundation for Denver in this victory, winning in wire-to-wire fashion. They got their lead up to 23 points at times and led by at least eight points for the final 42 minutes of this 48-minute game. The Nuggets shot 10-of-27 from three-point range, while the Grizzlies connected on just 5-of-26. Denver also out-rebounded Memphis, 48-42, while out-assisting them, 28-25. They also outscored them in second-chance points, 10-3.
The Grizzlies (19-11) were led by Ja Morant, collecting 35 points, 10 assists and seven turnovers. Dillon Brooks had 11 points, seven rebounds and three steals. Those two combined to shoot 17-of-40 from the field. Jaren Jackson Jr generated eight points, two rebounds, three steals and five blocks, while Brandon Clarke led the bench with 10 points and five boards.
The Nuggets (19-11) were led by Aaron Gordon, accruing 24 points, seven rebounds, four assists and two steals. Bruce Brown amassed 16 points, five rebounds, four assists and two blocks, while Nikola Jokic tallied 13 points, 13 rebounds, 13 assists and two steals. Bones Hyland led the bench with 12 points.
Both teams return to action on Friday against tough Western Conference teams, with Denver playing host to the Portland Trail Blazers and Memphis staying on the road to play the Phoenix Suns.
A 35-14 first quarter set the foundation for Denver in this victory, winning in wire-to-wire fashion. They got their lead up to 23 points at times and led by at least eight points for the final 42 minutes of this 48-minute game. The Nuggets shot 10-of-27 from three-point range, while the Grizzlies connected on just 5-of-26. Denver also out-rebounded Memphis, 48-42, while out-assisting them, 28-25. They also outscored them in second-chance points, 10-3.
The Grizzlies (19-11) were led by Ja Morant, collecting 35 points, 10 assists and seven turnovers. Dillon Brooks had 11 points, seven rebounds and three steals. Those two combined to shoot 17-of-40 from the field. Jaren Jackson Jr generated eight points, two rebounds, three steals and five blocks, while Brandon Clarke led the bench with 10 points and five boards.
The Nuggets (19-11) were led by Aaron Gordon, accruing 24 points, seven rebounds, four assists and two steals. Bruce Brown amassed 16 points, five rebounds, four assists and two blocks, while Nikola Jokic tallied 13 points, 13 rebounds, 13 assists and two steals. Bones Hyland led the bench with 12 points.
Both teams return to action on Friday against tough Western Conference teams, with Denver playing host to the Portland Trail Blazers and Memphis staying on the road to play the Phoenix Suns.